“We need to keep moving. This proves we are on the right path, Sam. Get on your horse.”
Sam’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the coat in his fists. “I’m going to kill them, Pa. As the good Lord is my witness, I’m going to kill them.”
They pushed their horses harder. The snow stopped and bits of blue sky peeked through dark clouds. Gus pulled his horse up short. “What is it, Pa?”
Gus got off his horse and went to a group of bushes where a leg was sticking out. It was the decomposed body of a man. It was apparent the animals had gotten to him. “This could be Timmons, Sam.”
“Are we anywhere close—” A far off scream split the air stopping him in mid-sentence.
* * * *
Maddie didn’t have much time. She grabbed the hatchet out of the chest and hid it under some old rags. By the time Chad returned, Maddie had the rabbit skinned and was heating the water from snow she had gathered.
Chad looked at the rabbit and smiled. “I see I gots me a woman who can actually do something.”
“I told you my life hasn’t been roses and daisies.” Nerves jittered throughout her body when Chad took off his coat. “We are going to need more wood if you want this rabbit cooked.”
He wiped a hand across his wet lips. “I think first I need to find out what else you’re good at.”
“Chad, we don’t have time for that.” Maddie retreated a step. “Anybody could be coming to find us.”
He took his gun belt off and started undoing his pants. “We’s got us plenty of time for a quick poke.”
She grabbed the handle of the small cast iron pot and threw it at him. He dodged it easy enough. “I ain’t stupid. I figured you’d given in a might easy, but no need to get riled. You’ll be begging for more when I’m done.”
She dove for the rags and grabbed the hatchet, but Chad was on top of her before she could get to her feet. She swung the hatchet just missing his face. Chad took her wrist and shoved her arm against the burning hot feet of the old rusty stove. She screamed as the tender flesh of her arm burned and sizzled. The hatchet dropped from her hand.
Chad pulled her away and his foul breath fanned her face. Maddie, though only as big as a minute, fought like a tiger trying to escape the disgusting man. He took a hold of both her wrists and held them above her head with one hand while the other explored her body as his mouth slobbered over her face. Maddie filled her lungs and screamed for a second time, praying someone would hear her.
The door splintered as Samuel fell through it. Chad was surprisingly quick getting to his feet and diving for his gun. Samuel’s boot connected with the man’s stomach, lifting him off the floor. He picked him up by his shirt and pummeled his face, over and over again, blood spurted from a broken nose and a vicious cut on his lip. Samuel, though weak from his own wound continued the assault, until he couldn’t fight anymore.
Maddie ran to him and caught him as he started to fall. His breath was ragged and fresh blood ran down his face. “Samuel, you found me. Are you okay?’ She laid him on the floor, kissing him all over his face. “Please, Samuel, talk to me.”
His hand came up and touched her cheek. His chest heaved up and down. “What about you?” he wheezed. “Did he—”
“No.” Tears streaked down her face. “No, he didn’t.”
“I was so scared when I found out you were taken.” Samuel’s voice was strained and weak. “I love you, Maddie.”
“Well, ain’t that just the sweetest thing ever?” Chad was on his feet with gun in hand, pointing it at Samuel. His left eye was swollen shut and his nose was twisted to one side. The rest of his face was a grotesque combination of bloody cuts and bruises. His mouth hardly moved as he talked. “She’s mine now and you ain’t getting what belongs to me, Morrison.”
The click of the hammer being pulled back was deafening. “No!” Maddie screamed falling in front of her husband. A gunshot exploded and Chad catapulted backwards, leaving a trail of blood as he slid down the wall. At the door stood Gus, a smoking rifle in hand.
Frank, Charles, Marshal Blake, and a deputy had found Gus and Samuel’s tracks. They’d been following them when they heard Gus’s shot. When they got there, Frank and the deputy hauled Chad’s body outside while Gus talked to the marshal. “I think this place is where Timmons lived after that tornado. We found a body not too far from here and I think it could be him,” Gus said.
“Must be the day for it,” Frank said. “We found Carl Skinner with a hole in his head around that bend.”
Charles entered the shack and went right to work on Samuel. Maddie was down on her knees, telling him everything that had happened. “Maddie I need some water and the black bag off my horse.”
“I’m fine. Quit making a fuss. We need to get Maddie home.” Samuel argued. “Ouch!” he grumbled when Charles removed the soiled cloth from his head to clean the cut.
After it was re-bandaged, Charles patted Maddie’s hand. “He’ll be fine, possible concussion, but he’ll live. Now let me look at that burn.”
Because of Samuel’s condition it would be a slow ride home for Maddie and Samuel. Except for Charles, the rest of the men rode back to town. The marshal said he’d bring a wagon out the next day to pick up the bodies. It was dark and cold by the time the three of them reached their house and it was decided Charles would stay.
“I don’t know what I’d have done if I had lost you, Maddie.” Both were exhausted. She lay in a cocoon of warmth in her husband’s arms. “When I heard you scream I swear my heart stopped beating.” He kissed the top of her head and pulled her in tighter.
“Me too. When Chad hit you with his gun and you were lying on the ground, there was so much blood. I didn’t know if you were alive or dead. I felt a fear I’ve never known before. I remember raking my nails across his face before he hit me with his gun and knocked me out.”
“Good girl.”
Maddie turned in his arms to face him. “I wanted him dead and I wanted to be the one who killed him.”
Samuel brought his mouth down and kissed her softly. She laid her head on his shoulder, silently thanking God for saving the man that meant the world to her.
Before leaving the next morning, Charles gave both Samuel and Maddie a clean bill of health.
It wasn’t until after dinner when Gus, Bessie, Lizzy, and Mr. Wiggles came home. “Daddy! Mama!” Lizzy jumped up and down in the back of the buckboard. Her blonde, curly hair flew in every direction.
Maddie laughed and it was like music to Samuel’s ears. “Look at our daughter. She reminds me of a wild pixie I saw in a picture book once.”
Samuel snatched her out of the wagon and threw her in the air, making Lizzy giggle with delight. Chubby little arms wrapped around his neck. She touched the bandage wrapped around his head. “Daddy hurt?” She inched her way up until her lips could kiss the bandage. “Be better now.” Then Lizzy wiggled to be put down and ran to Maddie. “Mama!” She obliged her with the same big hug. “We got a big bird. Come see.” She pulled Maddie toward the wagon.
“Oh my goodness,” Maddie said when she saw the wrapped bird being unloaded. “I figured we would have to kill us a few chickens for tomorrow.”
“Swain’s Grocery always has a few on hand and we knew there’d be no hunting on this day.” Bessie said.
Maddie put her arm around the older woman. “Thank you, Bessie.”
“Now no more of that. I’m your ma,” Bessie looked a bit embarrassed, “well, if you’ll let me be.”
“I want that with all my heart, Ma.”
Chapter SIXTEEN
She reached over, looking for the warm body to snuggle up to, but Samuel was gone. Maddie stretched her arms over her head and pointed her toes, her muscles were still sore. Then she rolled onto her side and watched as the sunlight streaking through the curtains. Today was Thanksgiving. She should be up, dressed, and downstairs helping Bessie with breakfast.
The bedroom squeaked open and Samuel poked his head in. “I was wond
ering if you were up or maybe just going to sleep all day?”
“I think that is just what I’ll do.”
“Well, let me help you make up your mind.” She threw the covers over her head, laughing as he jumped on the bed, searching and tickling.
“Okay, you win. I’ll get up.”
“Yes, ma’am, you will. Somebody needs to cook a turkey for me today.”
Maddie untangled herself from the blankets and got on her knees, putting her arms around his neck. “Is that all you need for me to do for you?”
Samuel went to the door and turned the lock. “Since you asked…”
* * * *
“Mama, I’m hungry. When do we get to eat?” Lizzy asked. Who could blame her? The turkey was done to a golden brown and the aroma in the house was undoubtedly making everybody’s mouth water. Stuffing and fluffy mashed potatoes and gravy were ready to be set on the table along with a crock of creamy butter. Steam rolled off fresh green beans and hot biscuits completed the meal.
The whole family was there and, of course, Charles was invited, but hadn’t shown. The plan had been to eat outside, but it was too cold. The sky was clear but temperatures were in the high thirties. Samuel made sure there was a roaring fire going to keep the house warm. It would be a bit crowded, but having the family together made it worth it.
There was a rap on the door. Samuel opened it and Charles said, “I’m with Lizzy. When are we eating?” He shook Samuel’s hand and gave Maddie a peck on the cheek.
“I didn’t think we were going to see you today, Charles. I held dinner for a bit, hoping you would be able to come.” Maddie took his coat and hung it on a peg.
“Folks still get sick on the holidays.” Charles shook his head as he stood by the fire to warm himself. “I get so busy. I really need somebody to help me. Take notes, hand me equipment, make sure I have everything I need before leaving the office.”
“There must be someone you could hire,” Bessie said as she and Maddie put the remaining dishes on the table.
“Not at this point.” Charles picked Lizzy up like a sack of corn and sat her at the table next to him. “No need to talk about it now. Let’s eat!”
Gus said the blessing, “Thank you for the food we are about to eat, but Lord, more than that, thank you for making sure all our loved ones are safe and thanks for making sure we are all together on this Thanksgiving Day.” Amens were said and everybody dug in. Plates were filled and conversation was sparse as they ate the feast that sat before them.
Once everyone had their fill, dishes were cleaned and an apple pie was served. Among groans of not being able to eat another bite, nobody refused a piece.
Maddie was sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs tickling a struggling Lizzy when she heard a tap on the door. When nobody moved to answer the knock, she said, “Samuel, I think somebody’s at the door.”
He walked over and opened it. “Hello,” he said. “Can I help you?” When there was no answer he looked over to Maddie. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“I’m, my name is…”
Maddie couldn’t see who was at the door from where she was sitting, so she put Lizzy down and went to see who it was. Her eyes widened and she felt herself go pale.
“Maddie, are you alright?” Kate asked.
She didn’t answer, just slowly walked the rest of the way to the door. Gone were the dark green skirt and gold-trimmed matching coat. No more silk blouse with pearl buttons that ran up to her neck and the wide brimmed hat with white and gold flowers and feathers was nowhere to be seen. Her light blonde hair that had been swept up in curls, was now hanging straight down her back. She wore a brown muslin dress and a man’s coat. Even her alabaster skin was replaced by yellowish bruises on her cheeks and her chin and she was thinner than Maddie remembered.
Maddie took her hand and led her in from the cold, touching her bruised cheek. “What happened to you?” Maddie gasped when the girl fainted at her feet.
“Do you know this person?” Samuel asked Maddie as Charles bent down to see what could be done.
“Yes, Samuel, I do. This is Hannah Brown.”
Chapter SEVENTEEN
Charles scooped the unconscious girl off the floor. “Take her upstairs to the spare room,” Samuel said.
Maddie led the way. She hurried to turn down the covers and Charles gently laid Hannah down. Maddie stood back and let the doctor examine the woman. After a few minutes, Hannah opened her eyes, scooting away when she saw Charles leaning over her.
Charles said in a soothing low voice, “I’m Doctor Charles Page. I practice in West Liberty and I’m friends with Samuel and Maddie. Please don’t be afraid.” When Hannah didn’t answer, Charles motioned for Maddie to come sit by the bed.
Maddie took Hannah’s hand in hers. “Are you okay? You fainted downstairs.”
Tears gathered in the girl’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I…I just didn’t know where else to go.” She shut her eyes again, as if falling asleep.
Maddie squeezed her hand. “Hannah.”
Her eyes jerked open. “Oh God,” she moaned. “I’m so sorry. I just haven’t slept for a long time.”
Maddie looked at Charles. “I’ve got something I can give her to help her.
“Hannah, Charles, I mean Dr. Page, is going to give you something to relax you. You’re staying at our house tonight and we will figure something out tomorrow.” The girl attempted to sit up, but Maddie wouldn’t hear of it. “Please, Hannah, lie down. You need to get some sleep.”
Tears made paths down the sides of her face. “Thank you,” Hannah whispered.
It took only a few more minutes for Charles to administer laudanum.
“She’ll sleep through the night,” he whispered. “Let’s go back down.”
When they got downstairs, everybody was outside, getting ready to leave as it was early evening. Kate suggested Gus and Bessie come back to her house, as Maddie and Samuel’s guest room was taken for the night. Hugs were given all the way around.
“It’s alright that you have the original Hannah staying in your room, isn’t it?” Kate asked.
“As long as my husband doesn’t look longingly in her direction and begin to regret marrying me.”
Samuel gave his wife a mock glare putting his arm around her shoulders, pulling her tight against him. “Any more talk like that and I’ll have to turn you over my knee.”
Kate laughed and climbed up into the back of their wagon. “Sounds like all is well here then. Thank you for the wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, Maddie. We will talk soon.”
Everyone waved goodbye when Gus drove the wagon rode out of the yard.
Charles climbed up on his horse and before leaving said, “I’ll come back tomorrow to make sure she’s alright.”
* * * *
Sleep eluded Maddie that night. “Samuel,” Maddie whispered when they were in bed, “now that you have seen who might have been your wife, are you disappointed?”
“Maddie,” his tone held truth and sincerity, “as God is my witness, I would only thank her for pointing you my way. You and Lizzy are my world and nothing or nobody can change that.” Even with Samuel’s reassuring words and the fact he pulled her tight against him to keep them warm, her mind would not shut off. What had gone wrong with Hannah? Were those bruises on her face? Maddie remembered her words — “I will never step foot in Iowa.” Why was she here?
The sun hadn’t begun to rise when Maddie slipped out of bed. Every morning she would look in on Lizzy before going downstairs, but on this day, she held her breath as she peeked in on their house guest. Hannah looked to be sleeping restfully.
Maddie got the fire going to warm the house and started water to boil. A creaking from upstairs told her Samuel would be down soon.
Mr. Wiggles put his paws on her lap when she finally sat down. “What are you doing putting those dirty paws up here?” She scratched behind his ears, making the little tail wag even harder.
“Good morning.
”
Maddie jumped in surprise when she spotted Hannah at the bottom of the stairs. Her hair was tangled and looked as if she’d tried to comb it using her fingers and her brown dress was badly wrinkled. “Oh my goodness, you startled me. I thought it was Samuel who was stirring up there.”
“I’m sorry,” Hannah said, taking a chair and sitting across from Maddie. “It’s pretty early. Do you always get up at the crack of dawn?”
“No.” Maddie smiled. “I just couldn’t sleep.”
“I suppose that might have a little something to do with me.”
An uncomfortable silence grew. Maddie decided to break it by offering Hannah coffee.
“Yes, please,” Hannah replied. “I never drank coffee before going to New Orleans. I learned to like it there because it helped me to stay awake.”
“Is New Orleans as exciting as I’ve heard — something going on all hours of the day?”
It took several seconds before Hannah answered. “I don’t know.” Her blue eyes were dull with…fear or maybe fatigue. “I thought I would be a part of this exciting town. Things were so good on the train to New Orleans. Thomas treated me like a queen. He told me about his house and servants and how I would have everything I ever desired...” Hannah’s word trailed off and her hands shook as she held her coffee, spilling some onto her fingers. She didn’t flinch but Maddie jumped up and grabbed a cloth, wiping the spill.
The haunted look in the girl’s eyes tore at Maddie’s heart. “When we arrived in New Orleans, it was late at night. Thomas took me to a…” Hannah swallowed hard, “a gaming house of sorts. We went around the back and he led me to a nice office that had a bed in it. He explained he knew the owner and we could sleep there and would leave for our new home in the morning.”
Hannah’s lips trembled as she lifted the cup to her mouth. “He told me to go to sleep while he went to talk to the owner. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. I woke up once or twice because the noise was so loud. Even though Thomas still hadn’t returned, I was able to fall back to sleep both times. When I woke a third time, I saw him was sitting at the desk with a drink in his hand just staring at me. The look on his face scared me. I asked if everything was okay. When he didn’t answer I asked if we would be leaving for his house soon.”
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